Nizar brings Pakatan case to Kampung Baru
By Lee Wei Lian (The Malaysian Insider)
After filing a suit this morning to declare the Perak Barisan Nasional government illegal, ousted Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin went to the symbolic heart of the Kuala Lumpur Malay community for Friday prayers and to present Pakatan Rakyat's case for their support.
Nizar brings his message to the city. Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin seen to be speaking to a congegation after Friday Prayers in Kampung Baru. – pic by Lee Wei Lian
To shouts of "Allahuakbar!", Nizar told the crowd that the current Perak state government is "haram" and that Pakatan Rakyat has the legitimate claim to the state.
He also fired up the crowd by calling Barisan Nasional a "cruel government lead by Najib" and appealed for them to pray for the downfall of the ruling government especially in the upcoming by-elections in Perak and Kedah on April 7.
But not all of the Muslim faithful stayed on for Nizar's speech with many seen streaming out of the historic mosque compound, leaving just around 400 spirited souls listening as he made his points.
A few told The Malaysian Insider they were unhappy with the mainstream media for portraying those who disagreed with the Perak Sultan as committing treason.
"We must respect the Sultan yes, just like we respect our parents, but then the power to decide our leaders must reside with the people," one of those who stayed back told The Malaysian Insider.
"We must be able to disagree with the Sultan's decision. At the end of the day, we are all humans under God."
But many were guarded in giving their opinions. "We in Kampung Baru do not like to take sides," said one man outside the mosque. Another said: "Our leaders are just playing politics but we want to go on with our lives."
Others were more guarded with their comments inside the mosque but opened up once outside the compound. "The people must be able to decide via an election," one man said after walking out of the mosque.
